Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens)

Fact Sheet

The
gray bat is an endangered species. Endangered Species are animals and
plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. Threatened species are
animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable
future. Identifying, protecting, and restoring, endangered and threatened
species is the primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
endangered species program.

What is the Gray Bat?

Appearance

Gray bats are distinguished from other
bats by the unicolored fur on their back. In addition, following their
molt in July or August, gray bats have dark gray fur which often bleaches
to a chestnut brown or russet. They weigh 7-16 grams. The bat's wing
membrane connects to its ankle instead of at the toe, where it is connected
in other species of Myotis.

Habitat

With rare exceptions, gray bats live in
caves year-round. During the winter gray bats hibernate in deep, vertical
caves. In the summer, they roost in caves which are scattered along
rivers. These caves are in limestone karst areas of the southeastern
United States. They do not use houses or barns.

Reproduction

Females give birth to a single young
in late May or early June.

Feeding Habitats

The bats eat a variety of flying
aquatic and terrestrial insects present along rivers or lakes.

Range

The gray bat occupies a limited geographic
range in limestone karst areas of the southeastern United States. They
are mainly found in Alabama, northern Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri,
and Tennessee. A few can be found in northwestern Florida, western Georgia,
southeastern Kansas, southern Indiana, southern and southwestern Illinois,
northeastern Oklahoma, northeastern Mississippi, western Virginia, and
possibly western North Carolina.

Why Is the Gray Bat Endangered?

Human Disturbance

Gray bats are endangered largely
because of their habit of living in very large numbers in only a few
caves. As a result, they are extremely vulnerable to disturbance. Arousing
bats while they are hibernating can cause them to use up a lot of energy,
which lowers their energy reserves. If a bat runs out of reserves, it
may leave the cave too soon and die. In June and July, when flightless
young are present, human disturbance can lead to mortality as frightened
females drop their young in the panic to flee from the intruder.

Habitat Loss or Degradation

Many important caves
were flooded and submerged by reservoirs. Other caves are in danger
of natural flooding. Even if the bats escape the flood, they have difficulty
finding a new cave that is suitable.

Cave Commercialization and Improper Gating

The commercialization
of caves drives bats away. Any gating on the cave that prevents access
or alters the air flow, temperature, humidity, and amount of light is
harmful.

What Is Being Done to Prevent Extinction of the
Gray Bat?

Listing

The gray bat was added to the U.S. List
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants on April 28, 1976.

Recovery Plan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
has developed a recovery plan that describes actions needed to help
the bat survive.

Habitat Protection

A variety of government and
private conservation agencies are all working to preserve gray bats
and their caves.

What Can I Do to Help Prevent the Extinction of
Species?

Learn

Learn more about the gray bat and other endangered
and threatened species. Understand how the destruction of habitat leads
to loss of endangered and threatened species and our nation's plant
and animal diversity. Tell others about what you have learned.

Write

Write to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
or your state fish and game agency to learn more about endangered and
threatened species.